Arctic Ground Beetle vs Sharp-Grooved Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Arctic Ground Beetle | Sharp-Grooved Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amara alpina | Acilius sulcatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 15-18 mm |
| Habitat | Tundra & Arctic | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Greenland | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Arctic Ground Beetle
A small, dark bronze ground beetle found on Arctic and alpine tundra. It has a broad, flattened body ideal for sheltering under stones. Adults are active during the brief Arctic summer and are partially herbivorous.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been found in Quaternary fossil deposits across northern Europe, showing it has inhabited the tundra since the last Ice Age.
Sharp-Grooved Diving Beetle
A medium-sized diving beetle widespread across Europe, recognized by the deeply grooved elytra of females. It is a fast and agile predator in ponds.
Did You Know?
Females have deeply furrowed elytra that prevent males from gripping them, giving them control over mating.